Sarah CO #2

This afternoon I observed Ryan Flemming's IN-HI Speaking class. He started things off by calling role from his computer monitor and going over the day's agenda with the class. He was interrupted by two students in the back of the room discussing astronomy (in English!) and politely asked them to save it for later so as not to discourage their fluid use of the language. In briefing the students on their responsibilities for the day, he explained that they would have 20 minutes in the computer lab to review their previous assignment, in which they recorded a sample of their own speech.

In the lab, Ryan circulated constantly, even while grading assignments, to answer questions and help students with the computer software. Students listened to their voice recordings, looked over the written feedback they had received and then corrected their own mistakes. In this way he utilizes teacher evaluation as well as self correction. Because these are higher level language learners, his students are encouraged to be as self sufficient as possible, acting as teacher and student while Ryan plays the role of a coach. When the students finished this error correction exercise, they returned to the classroom where they worked independently, preparing presentations they are to give in class next week.

Again Ryan circulated the room, taking the time to sit down with each student and ask him or her questions about their presentations. He stressed content above form, expressing interest in the topics each student had chosen for their presentation as well as each person's individual approach to the assignment.